Female executives at major South Korean corporations achieved unprecedented representation in 2024. Research from Leaders Index and Women in Innovation revealed women held 8.8 percent of executive positions across 376 companies. This marked an increase from 7.9 percent in 2023 and 6.8 percent in 2022.
Women executives numbered 1,221 while men totaled 13,889. Female leadership rose 9.7 percent annually compared to a 1.4 percent decline among male counterparts. Average female salaries reached 78.8 million won against 111.1 million won for men.
This represented 71 percent of male earnings, surpassing the 70 percent threshold for the first time since tracking began. Board positions for women increased 16.6 percent to 344 members. Pharmaceuticals, banking, and telecommunications led diversity efforts while construction and shipbuilding lagged behind. Despite progress, South Korea maintains the widest gender wage gap among developed nations.
Women executives numbered 1,221 while men totaled 13,889. Female leadership rose 9.7 percent annually compared to a 1.4 percent decline among male counterparts. Average female salaries reached 78.8 million won against 111.1 million won for men.
This represented 71 percent of male earnings, surpassing the 70 percent threshold for the first time since tracking began. Board positions for women increased 16.6 percent to 344 members. Pharmaceuticals, banking, and telecommunications led diversity efforts while construction and shipbuilding lagged behind. Despite progress, South Korea maintains the widest gender wage gap among developed nations.
